The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-05-19
Only for Fun.

odd years ago. but hold on bit and
I'll help you down" And so saying
Alderman ST Dunning reached up
large fat hand and eased Miss Patsy's
descent from the one-horse shay that
old Doane was tugging a. evidently
not wishing to tarry. for she seemed in
stinctively to conclude that if Miss Pat
ty stopped there was no telling when
she would assume her journey.
Yon see. though Miss Patsy was a
good old soul rs ever lived, she was
very much given TO harmless gossip
ing, and she generally tarricd long
over the whine when she began to talk
over her own troubles and trials.
Miss Patty was, as she herself ex-
pressed it. nigh on to sixty, and, in
fact, she had admitted the same thing
for a number of years, so that most
folks put it at seventy or Whereabouts.
just now Miss Patty was in peck of
trouble-she had come down from
the Roseheaf farm in search of female
help.
Mrs. Cunning, the hotel-keeper's
wife. came out to greet the new conner,
being always glad to see the tidy body,
especially as Miss Patty Slocum's but
ter was the best for miles around.
and she always made it point to
bring some along with her.
just now Uncle ST, rs most people
called him. was gruntling over the
three gallon of buttercup yellow
creamery.
Mrs. Dunning relieved the butter
maker of her basket of eggs and she
herself gathered up bunch of garden
sass, and brought up in the rear rs the
trio trndged through the garden and
around to the ample hotel kitchen,
Miss Patty remarking. as they were
passing the side piazza:
1--WE got to have some help some
how or other. I've inquired all the
way along. but girls seem to be
mighty scarce; alters the way these
days, when you want 'em to do a Bit of
work they are nowhere around. If it
waHu't for the rheumatic now but
right here Miss Patty's voice was lost.
rs she turned the corner of the great
house. Though lost to view, she was
indelbly stamped on the memory of the
group of girls who sat on the front
piazza, some in low wicker rockers,
one in hammock. swinging lazily.
another half hidden by the luxuriant
woodbine that clambered up the second
story.
Il say. girls, come here, every one
of YOU and the face that had been
peeping from the woodbine came into
full view. and the dainty. muslin-clad
body sailed down the steps, and four
others, not at all alike, after her
around the west side of the house, and
within hearing of all that was said in
the kitchen.
Mum is the word. now, girls; don't
you give an audible smile for your life.
think the party in the immense sun
bonnet-shaker. suppose you'd call it
is case; an original, too; and l
want to hear what she is going to do
about her help She makes me think
of old Aunt Hannah, up at the springs.
This old body is just such go-ahead-
sharp as cricket; and, except for her
rheumatic, would be equal to half a
dozen such girls as you and /"
When the girls had reached the de-
sired spot right under high window
that opened out of the buttery, that
was Mrs. Dunning's pride, and marvel
of convenience. by the by, they all sat
down on long wooden bench that was
under great oserhanging lilac bushes,
Just now laden with immense clusters
of the lovely perfumed blossoms.
Rose Stoneleigh. the leader of the
group, put one dlmpled finger up to
her lips. and the others, in 'follow
your leader style. each raised fing-
er, and they were as quiet as mice.
Presently. through the window, came
the voice of Mrs. Dunning:
Indeed you must stop minute,
Miss s,ocum. You'll be all done out
lime you get back home again"
NO! thankee all the same. I'll try
one more place, and then I'll get back
home again.
ats too bad you can't find anybody.
What is the particular rush, just now !?
Surely haying has not commenced with
you ?''
mo; not exactly, but I've sight on
hand just now; got to do some pie plant
and then them ere gooseberries are
about ripe enough to can, and in a
couple of weeks the cherries will be on
hand, and-pester the hired help any
way. I'd sooner grub along. anyhow,
than bother with any of them, if it
WANT for this plaguey rheumatic. Ii
kinder ketches me wonst in while,
and. no use to talk. it takes the spunk
clean out of ME. heard as they had
some sort of lie down to the post office
that was powerful good for SIGH case,
and guess 1 must get a quarter S
worth just 10 try it. Feel sort of 'fraid
to, too"
Girls, sit still, and will be back in
a trice," and of flew Rose. skimming
past stately Helen Parker, who still sat
on the piazza, scratching away with
her. pen on an oval stand before her.
what are you up to now Rose
Stoneieigh p
Can't stop to tell any fibs just now,
said Rose, as she few up the broad
stairway and into her room. Present.
ly she emerged an altogether different
looking person. In the place Of a
muslin she had donned a schoolgirl
gingham, a white apron. and plain
g linen collar, her hair all smoothed
down to get the contrary wrinkles out